Method of processing high voltage capacitors

ABSTRACT

A high voltage capacitor design is provided that provides improved performance. The high voltage capacitor includes a stack of mechanically bonded capacitor cells, which in one variant utilize a separator formed of two layers of paper. In one version, the high voltage capacitor may be used as a capacitative voltage divider.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to and claims priority from commonlyassigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/575,597, filed May 28,2004 with Docket No. M133-134-135P, which is incorporated herein byreference.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention is generally related to a capacitors and testingthereof and more particularly to HV capacitors and testing thereof.

BACKGROUND

The manufacture and/or testing of high voltage (HV) capacitors used inhigh voltage power transmission utilizes processes that in many respectscan be improved. HV capacitors are typically very heavy and bulky; anexemplary HV capacitor weighs 50 Kg and is 2 meters long. In onevariant, HV capacitors can be configured for use as a CVD (CapacitorVoltage Divider).

The manufacture of HV capacitors typically includes the assembly of aseries string or stack of capacitor cells, which are subsequentlyinserted into an open capacitor housing. In the prior art, individualcapacitor cells are joined in series by means of the introduction ofadditional material, which is used to form of a bond between the cells.FIG. 6 b illustrates bonding of two aluminum foils 10 of respectivecapacitor cells by use of additional material 12, for example a solder,a conductive glue, a joining tab, etc. As represented by dashed lines inFIG. 6 b, the additional material may act to deform an electrical fieldthat is formed when an electric potential is present across the aluminumfoils; degraded performance may be one consequent result. In the priorart, after insertion of cells in an unsealed housing, the housing isplaced into a large oven chamber. With oven closed, the capacitorhousing and capacitor cells within are subjected to one or more cycle ofvacuum and/or high temperature so as to remove moisture from the cellsand the interior of the housing. Increased oven drying throughput may beachieved by drying more than one HV capacitor housing (a batch) at atime, but the oven size needs to be increased accordingly. For example,in order to accommodate a batch of 125 HV capacitor housings, in oneembodiment an interior of a drying oven is dimensioned to be on theorder of about 3×5×5 meters. Although large ovens can permit a largenumber of capacitor housings to be dried at one time, a large amount ofunused free volume remains within the oven, which requires that more airbe evacuated and/or more air be heated to maintain a given temperatureor vacuum within the oven; increased drying time and/or increased energyusage may be a consequent result.

After drying, the HV capacitor housings are physically removed from theoven for impregnation. The unsealed HV capacitor housings are removedfrom the oven and immersed or filled in their entirety in a vat or tankof impregnation fluid so as to fully impregnate the interior of thehousings and capacitor cells therein. After the impregnation step, eachcapacitor housing is individually fitted and sealed with sealing endcaps. Each sealing end cap may include terminals, with which externalelectrical access to the capacitor cells within the housing may be made.

In the prior art, impregnation of HV capacitors, whether individually oras a batch, is a very dirty and messy process that leaves residues ofimpregnation fluid on the exterior of each capacitor housing, as well,about the surrounding environment. Consequently, after sealing of acapacitor housing with sealing end caps, impregnation fluid typicallyneeds cleaned from the housing exterior and other exposed apparatus.After impregnation and cleaning, the HV capacitor housings arereinserted into the oven, the temperature of which is raised again so asto increase the temperature of the impregnation fluid within the sealedhousings. The increased temperature increases pressure within the nowsealed capacitor housings. After an extended period of time, the HVcapacitor housings are removed from the oven and inspected for leakageof impregnation fluid, particularly at sealed electrical connectionpoints and end caps. If no leaks are detected, the HV capacitors aretested under application of a high voltage, and if the HV test ispassed, the HV capacitors can be made available for use.

Variations in the order of testing, heating, and impregnation to thatdescribed above may exist in the prior art, but have in common thatduring each movement, test, and dis/assembly step, the HV capacitors andcells are exposed to impurities, moisture, and other undesiredmaterials. The undesired materials may to some extent be reduced byextra time consuming drying and vacuum steps but, nevertheless, arealways present. Performance of prior art capacitors is consequentlynegatively affected.

It is desired to improve upon one or more aspects of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method of processing high voltage capacitorscomprises the steps of providing at least one sealed high voltagecapacitor housing, the housing having an interior and an exterior;providing a fluid at the exterior of the sealed high voltage capacitorhousing; and detecting with a detector, the presence or absence of thefluid in the interior of the sealed high voltage capacitor housing. Themethod may further comprise a step of applying a vacuum to the interiorof each sealed high voltage capacitor housing. The fluid may comprise alow molecular weight gas. The detector may be coupled to each sealedhigh voltage capacitor housing at a sealable port. Each sealed highvoltage capacitor housing may comprise at least one end cap. The atleast one end cap may include the sealable port. The at least one endcap may be coupled to the housing by a seal disposed therebetween. Themethod may further comprise a step of placing each sealed high voltagecapacitor housing within a chamber before performing a step ofdetecting. The fluid may be pressurized.

In one embodiment, a method of processing high voltage capacitorscomprises the steps of providing at least one sealed high voltagecapacitor housing, the housing having an interior and an exterior, and asealable port; selectively passing a fluid between the exterior and theinterior at the sealable port; and detecting with a detector thepresence or absence of the fluid at the exterior of the housing. Themethod may further comprise a step of applying a vacuum to each sealedhigh voltage capacitor housing. The method may further comprise a stepof applying a pressure to each sealed high voltage capacitor housing.The step of selectively passing a fluid may be facilitated byapplication of a pressure differential between the interior and theexterior. The fluid may comprise a liquid. The fluid may comprisesimpregnation fluid. Each sealed high voltage capacitor housing may besealed by an end cap. The end cap may include the sealable port. Betweenthe end cap and the housing there may be disposed a seal. The method mayfurther comprise a step of placing each sealed high voltage capacitorhousing within a chamber before performing the step of detecting with adetector. The fluid may be heated. The chamber may be heated. Thechamber may comprise a vacuum chamber.

In one embodiment, a method of processing high voltage capacitorscomprises the steps of providing at least one high voltage capacitor,the capacitor including a housing having an interior and an exterior,and sealing the interior from the exterior with at least one end cap;and passing a fluid between the exterior and interior through at leastone selectively sealable port. The fluid may be an impregnation fluid.The method may further comprise a step of applying a vacuum to theinterior of the capacitor. The method may further comprise a step ofapplying the vacuum through at least one sealable port. The method mayfurther comprise a step of placing each high voltage capacitor within achamber. At least one end cap may be fitted with at least one sealableport. The at least one high voltage capacitor may comprise a pluralityof high voltage capacitors, and fluid from one source provides fluid tothe plurality of high voltage capacitors.

In one embodiment, a method of processing a high voltage capacitorcomprises the steps of providing a sealed high voltage capacitor, thecapacitor having an interior and an exterior; providing a first fluid atthe exterior of the capacitor; providing a first detector; detectingwith the first detector the presence or absence of the first fluid atthe interior of the housing; and providing a second fluid at theinterior of the capacitor. The method may further comprise a step ofdetecting the presence or absence of the second fluid at the exterior ofthe housing. The second fluid may be an impregnation fluid. The firstfluid is a gas. The method may further comprise a step of providing achamber; disposing the high voltage capacitor in the chamber; performingthe steps of detecting after disposing the capacitor in the chamber. Themethod may further comprise a step of applying a vacuum to the highvoltage capacitor. The second fluid may be a gas. The second fluid maybe heated. The sealed high voltage capacitor may comprise at least oneselectively sealable port though which the first and second fluid areprovided.

In one embodiment, a method of processing high voltage capacitorscomprises the steps of providing at least one sealed high voltagecapacitor, each high voltage capacitor having an interior and anexterior, and at least one selectively sealable port; and passing fluidbetween the exterior and the interior of each capacitor. The method mayfurther comprise a step of passing fluid from the interior to theexterior of each capacitor at a sealable port. Fluid may be passedthrough a sealable port as a dry gas. Fluid may be passed through asealable port as an impregnation fluid. Fluid may be passed through asealable port as a low molecular weight gas. Each high voltage capacitormay be sealed by an end cap, wherein the end cap includes a seal and aselectively sealable port. The step of passing fluid may comprise afirst step of passing a dry gas and a second step of passing animpregnation fluid. The fluid may originate from one source. Thesealable port may comprise a coupler. The sealable port may be adaptedto receive fluid via a hose. The method may further comprise a step ofdisposing each capacitor within a chamber prior to the step of applyingfluid. The high voltage capacitor may comprise a plurality of fins.

Other variants, embodiment, benefits, and advantages will becomeapparent upon a reading of the Specification and related Figures.

FIGURES

In FIG. 1, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HVcapacitor.

In FIG. 2, there is seen a not to scale cross-section of a rolledcapacitor cell with exploded views of a right end and a left end of acell.

In now to FIG. 3, there is seen not to scale representations of twocapacitor cells connected in series.

In FIG. 4, there is seen a not to scale representation of a plurality ofcapacitor cells connected by aluminum foils at their ends.

In FIG. 5, there is seen a not to scale representation of a CVD.

In FIG. 6 a there is seen a mechanical bond that does not interfere withan electrical field.

In FIG. 6 b, there is seen a prior art mechanical bond that interfereswith an electrical field.

In FIG. 7 a, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HVcapacitor subject to a leak test.

In FIG. 7 b, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HVcapacitor subject to a leak test.

In FIG. 8, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HV capacitorsubject to drying.

In FIG. 9, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HV capacitorsubject to drying.

In FIG. 10, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HVcapacitor subject to vacuum.

In FIG. 11, is seen a not to scale representation of a HV capacitorsubject to impregnation.

INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of theinvention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpractical, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawingsand the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps,however, to simplify the disclosure the same or similar referencenumerals may in some instances refer to parts or steps that comprisevariants of one another. The drawings are in simplified form and not toprecise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity directionalterms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below,beneath, rear, front, and other terms may be used with respect to theaccompanying drawings. These and similar directional terms should not beconstrued to limit the scope of the invention. The words “couple”,“connect” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes are usedinterchangeably, unless the difference is noted or otherwise made clearfrom the context. These words do not necessarily signify directconnections, but may include connections through intermediate componentsand devices. Details in the Specification and Drawings are provided toenable and understand inventive principles and embodiments describedherein and, as well, to the extent that would be needed by one skilledin the art to implement the principles and embodiments covered by thescope of the claims. The words “embodiment” refers to particularapparatus or process, and not necessarily to the same apparatus orprocess. Thus, “one embodiment” (or a similar expression) used in oneplace or context can refer to a particular apparatus or process; thesame or a similar expression in a different place can refer to adifferent apparatus or process. The number of potential embodiments isnot necessarily limited to one or any other quantity.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is seen a not to scale representation of a HVcapacitor. In one embodiment, a HV capacitor 100 comprises a housing 101and a plurality of capacitor cells 102 disposed within. The capacitorcells 102 are connected in a series string, with the number ofcapacitors in the string dictated by a desired nominal operating voltageof the capacitor 100. Electrical access to ends of the series string ofcapacitor cells 102 is provided by sealed terminals 111 a, 112 a. In atypical configuration, a HV capacitor 100 includes a plurality of ribs;the ribs facilitate cooling of the HV capacitor and, as well, provide ageometry and material to which impurities have difficulty adhering to.

Referring now to FIG. 2, and other Figures as needed, there is seen anot to scale cross-section of a rolled capacitor cell with explodedviews of a right end and a left end of a cell. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, a capacitor cell 102 comprises a combination ofinsulator, separator, and conductor. In one embodiment, capacitor cell102 is formed by disposing a layer of insulative polypropylene 104 overone or more layers of paper product separator 105, and disposing the oneor more layers of paper product separator over a layer of aluminum foilconductor 107. In one particular embodiment, the polypropylene has athickness of about 12.7 microns, the paper layers have a thickness ofabout 20 microns, and the aluminum foil has a thickness of about 10microns. It is understood, however, that the present invention shouldnot to be limited by dimensions disclosed herein as they may be changedin accordance with design requirements; for example, in otherembodiments, the aluminum foil can vary in thickness between 5 um and 25um.

Referring now to FIG. 3, and other Figures as needed, there is seen notto scale representations of two capacitor cells connected in series. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, layers of polypropylene, paper, and aluminum foil107 of a capacitor cells 102 a-b are rolled in a manner that providesaccess to layers at a respective left end 106 and a right end 108 ofeach capacitor cell. A number of methods can be employed to provide arolled capacitor cell as illustrated, including taking an initiallyunrolled length of the layers and folding the length such that the leftend and the right end are initially adjacent to each other, and suchthat what would be an end opposite to the adjacent left and right endsis repeatably rolled as a length “Y” to a point where a certain lengthof the left end 106 and right end 108 remain unwound and exposed. In oneembodiment, the length X at the left and right end that remains unwoundis about 45 mm. Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is a layer of aluminum foil107 left unrolled at the left end 106 and positioned in a bottomorientation, and at the right end 108 a layer of aluminum foil 107 leftunrolled in a top orientation. In these orientations, the left end ofcapacitor cell 102 a is alignably disposed over a right end of apreviously similarly rolled capacitor cell 102 b.

Referring now to FIG. 4, and other Figures as needed, there is seen anot to scale representation of a plurality of capacitor cells connectedby aluminum foils at their ends. In one embodiment, capacitor cell 102 aand capacitor cell 102 b are bonded by a mechanical bond that joinsexposed aluminum foil 107 of a right end 108 of capacitor cell 102 b toexposed aluminum foil 107 of a left end 106 of capacitor cell 102 a.Repeated mechanical bonding of aluminum foils of respective capacitorcells can be used to form a series string or stack of electricallyinterconnected capacitor cells. In various embodiments, a nominalvoltage rating for a string of capacitor cells is between about 10 KVand 420 KV, with individual nominal cell capacitance ranging betweenabout 20 nf and 10 uf. Other ratings are within the scope of the presentinvention, as would determined by particular design specification. Inone embodiment, 3 uf capacitor cells are connected in series to providea 170 Kilovolt rated capacitor. In one embodiment, adjacently exposedaluminum foils of a right end of a cell 102 b and a left end of a cell102 a are placed over a support 109, and mechanical pressure is appliedto press the foils against each other and the support. The mechanicalpressure is of a value that allows a mechanical bond to be formedbetween the two conductors without causing damage or contamination tothe conductors and other layers of material that may be present. Withmechanical bonding, it is identified that aluminum oxide layers presenton the aluminum foils may be penetrated and, thus, better electricalcontact between the aluminum foils may be made. Formation of mechanicalbonds by pressure applied to aluminum foils at a relatively lowtemperature is called by those skilled in the art as a “cold weld.” Inone embodiment, a mechanical bond can also be formed at a raised orrelatively high temperature. A mechanical bonding process can berepeated, wherein a bonded capacitor cell 102 b is moved to a lowerposition under a stack of previously bonded cells, and an aluminum foilof a right end of an unbonded capacitor cell is placed next to analuminum foil of a left end of a previously bonded cell 102 b, and thebonding process is repeated on the two foils. The process may berepeated until a desired number of capacitor cells have been bonded inseries. Preferably, the dimension X disclosed in FIG. 3, is provided asa length that when cell 102 b is moved under cell 102 a to form a stackof cells, the right end 108 of cell 102 b and the left end 106 of cell102 a can be manipulated and extended without causing damage to thecells 102 a and 102 b, or bonds formed therebetween.

In one embodiment, mechanical pressure is applied to the positionallyexposed aluminum foils of capacitors 102 a and 102 b, for example, by ahardened metal cylinder that is moved or rolled across the exposedaluminum foils (represented by the two headed arrow). In one embodiment,the roller may comprise a surface that forces a patterned impression tobe formed in the aluminum foils, for example, a cross hatch pattern, orthe like. Patterned impressions may be used to help mechanicallyinterlock the aluminum foils together and so as to add strength to thebond. The exposed aluminum foils of unconnected capacitors may bepositioned and bonded by a manual and/or automated process. Although inone embodiment a roller is identified, in other embodiments, it isunderstood that exposed aluminum foils could be bonded by other forceapplying devices and mechanisms, for example, a mechanical press device,etc. Because the present invention does not utilize adhesives, solder,tabs, or other additional products to bond aluminum foils of capacitorcells together, the associated degradation in performance andreliability that occurs in the prior art is reduced or eliminated. Asrepresented in FIG. 6 a, without use of additional products to form abond between conductors, an electrical field that can be formed by apotential applied across the conductors is minimally deformed and, thus,electrical performance of a HV capacitor 100 can be improved over thatof the prior art.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it is identified that principles describedabove can be used in the assembly of a HV Capacitative Voltage Divider(CVD), a type of HV capacitor known to those skilled in the art. In apreferred embodiment, a capacitor cell 102 as used in a CVD includes onelayer of polypropylene 104, two layers of paper 105, and one layer ofaluminum foil 107. In one embodiment, the polypropylene has a thicknessof about 12.7 microns, each layer of paper has a thickness of about 10microns, and the aluminum foil has a thickness of about 10 microns.Analysis and empirical results have identified that use of two layers ofpaper 105, enables use of a CVD over a wider range of temperatures thana CVD that would use capacitor cells 102 made with one layer of paper ofequivalent thickness.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is seen a not to scale representation ofa CVD. In one embodiment, a CVD differs from the HV capacitor 100topology described above in at least one respect; an intermediateconnection 103 is included to provide electrical access to an electricalpoint within a series string of capacitor cells 102. In one embodiment,electrical connection and access at an intermediate connection may beprovided by an appropriately dimensioned and positioned intermediatecapacitor extending portion. Those skilled in the art will identify thatthe number of capacitor cells used to configure upper and lower legs ofa CVD and, thus, the location of the intermediate connection, would varyaccording to desired specifications.

Referring back to FIG. 1, and other Figures as needed, there is seencapacitor cells disposed within a housing. After individual capacitorcells 102 are mechanically bonded in series, the resulting stack ofcells is electrically coupled to one or more terminals provided with oneor more end caps. In one embodiment, the electrically coupled stack isinserted into an appropriately sized housing 101, and end caps 111, 112are sealably attached to each open end of the housing. In oneembodiment, between each end cap and the housing there is provided oneor more seal, o-ring, gasket, or the like disposed to seal Sealing of aHV capacitor 100 with end caps at this point in a process facilitatesshielding of the interior of the housing from external impurities duringsubsequent processing steps. With end caps attached to a housing, theresulting embodiment at this point in a process is understood tocomprise a capacitor housing, a stack of serially bonded capacitor cells102 disposed within, and ones one or more sealed end cap, but sans anyimpregnation fluid, or in other words, the interior of the HV capacitor100 is without any electrolyte or oil.

Although HV capacitor 100 is sealed by its end caps, the presentinvention allows that selective access from the exterior to the interior(or interior to the exterior) of the capacitor may be made though one ormore sealable port. Although illustrated in one embodiment as twoselectively sealable ports 115 and 116, each disposed at respectiveopposite end caps 111 and 112, it will be understood that in otherembodiments, one or more sealable port may be disposed at the same endcap. As well, in other embodiments, one or both end caps 111, 112 maycomprise more than two sealable ports. As will be understood, unless adefect or failure is detected during some of the processes describedfurther below, use of sealable ports allows that sealed end caps do notnecessarily have to be removed and, thus, time consuming repositioning,dis/assembly, retesting, and/or cleaning steps may be avoided, as wouldbe required in the prior art. Additionally, after sealable attachment ofend caps is performed, damaging exposure to external moisture andimpurities (as occurs during prior art end cap removal, repositioning,dis/assembly, and or cleaning steps) can be minimized. Exposure toimpurities is reduced with the present invention because the interior ofthe HV capacitor 100 is exposed to an external environment duringprocessing only as determined by a selective opening or closing of itssealable ports. Compare this to the prior art, wherein during requiredend cap removal process steps, the interior of a HV capacitor is alwaysexposed to an external environment.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a, there is seen a not to scale representationof a HV capacitor subject to a leak test. In embodiments describedfurther herein, connections to selectively sealable ports, as well assealable ports themselves, will be understood to utilize or comprise oneor more coupler as are used by those skilled in the art to permit quickleak free seals, and/or dis/connections, to be made under pressureand/or vacuum. In one embodiment, the couplers may provide open-flow orno-flow functionality. In one embodiment, when closed, the couplers mayprovide sealing functionality. In one embodiment, one or more sealableport may be closed or sealed by a sealable insert or plug.

In one embodiment, a sealable port 115 is selectively closed and asealable port 116 is coupled to a source of fluid or gas 118, forexample, a source of low molecular weight and/or inert gas such ashelium, or the like. In one embodiment, with pressurized gas 118 appliedat sealable port 116, a gas leak detector 120 can be positioned aboutthe HV capacitor 100 so as to verify that gas has or has not leaked outfrom within the capacitor. In one embodiment, the leak detector 120comprises a helium leak detector as could be obtained and used by thoseskilled in the art. A detector 120 may be positioned to detect helium atpossible points of leakage, for example, at interfaces between thehousing, end caps, sealed ports, and/or electrical terminals.

Referring now to FIG. 7 b, there is seen a not to scale representationof a HV capacitor subject to a leak test. In one embodiment, one or moreHV capacitor 100 is coupled at a selectively sealable port to a gasdetector 120 and, with other provided sealable ports sealed/closed, isexposed to an external source of gas 118, for example, low molecularweight and/or inert gas such as helium, or the like. If no externallyapplied gas is detected by the gas detector 120, the capacitor housing101, end caps 111, 112, ports 115, 116 and terminals 111 a, 112 a may beconsidered as being sealed sufficiently against leakage of subsequentlyused impregnation fluid from within the HV capacitor 100.

In one embodiment, it is identified that leak testing may be enhanced byplacement of one or more HV capacitor 100 in a chamber 122. In oneembodiment, after placement of one or more HV capacitor 100 withinchamber 122, hoses and/or couplers 123 within or at walls of the chambermay be used to connect a leak detector 120 to a sealable port of HVcapacitor(s) within the oven, and to a source of gas 118. It isidentified that if gas is introduced into a chamber 122 that is sealed,the chamber may become pressurized, and that the pressure may be used toaccelerate any potential leakage of gas from outside to within thesealed interior of each HV capacitor 100; detection of the gas within asealed capacitor housing can be used as an indication that the capacitorhousing is not properly sealed. The amount of time required to determineif a HV capacitor 100 may be subject to leakage from subsequently usedimpregnation fluid may accordingly be reduced.

It has been identified that application of a vacuum to the interior ofeach sealed HV capacitor 100 at a sealable port may be used toaccelerate leakage of an externally applied gas and, thus, detection ofthe gas within a HV capacitor that is improperly sealed. In oneembodiment, gas detector 120 itself may comprise a vacuum source (notshown) with which gas from a gas source 118 can be potentially drawninto a leaking HV capacitor 100.

In one embodiment, a gas source 118 or another source of heat may beused to introduce heat into chamber 122. In one embodiment, chamber 122may provide heating functionality. Cycled heating of the chamber 122 maybe used to expand seals and joints of each HV capacitor 100 duringleakage testing to better simulate actual operating conditions andpossible failure modes that may occur during actual use.

It is identified that testing for leakage as described by the presentinvention above obviates the need for the extended high temperaturetesting of HV capacitors as is needed in the prior art. For example, inthe prior art, leakage testing is performed by subjecting sealed andimpregnation fluid filled HV capacitors to a high temperature for 48hours; after cooling a subsequent visual inspection is performed to seeif any leaked fluid is present outside the capacitor. Compared to theprior art, leakage testing of HV capacitors 100 in a manner as describedby the present invention can be performed very cleanly and quickly, andsuch that testing throughput and reliability can be increased. Because aplurality of HV capacitors 100 may be easily connected at their sealableports by means of a coupler, and subsequently quickly tested for leakageof a gas (not impregnation fluid as in the prior art), cleaning ofleaked or spilled impregnation fluid can be eliminated. Furthermore,leakage testing of prior art HV capacitors requires that they be filledwith impregnation fluid and tested in heating ovens for on the order of48 hours, which contrasts with about 5 minutes as is made possible bythe above described gas leak test processes. With the present invention,if leakage of gas is detected, an offending leaking HV capacitor 100 maybe quickly disconnected at a sealable port from a source of gas andmoved for subsequent disassembly and repair, which differs from theprior art, wherein a leaking HV capacitor, as indicated by leakingimpregnation fluid, requires that the capacitor housing and impregnationfluid be cooled, that the capacitor be disassembled, that theimpregnation fluid be removed from the housing, and that the capacitorbe cleaned, before repair procedures can be implemented.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is seen a not to scale representation ofa HV capacitor subject to drying. Those skilled in the art will identifythat in one embodiment, the drying process described herein could inaddition to, or on its own, be performed before a gas leak test. If gasleakage testing is performed first, the source of pressurized gas 118and/or gas leak detector 120 may be disconnected from a selectivelysealable port/coupler at which it/they were applied, other sealableports/couplers may be unsealed/opened, and a drying process may beinitiated.

In one embodiment, a sealable port is coupled to a pressurized source ofdry and/or inert gas 121. In one embodiment, the gas is heated. The gasis applied at some temperature and/or pressure sufficient to expose andpass over, and through, the capacitor cells 102 within the capacitorhousing 101 and such that most or all moisture and other impuritiespresent within the housing is expelled from any unsealed/open port(s),for example, a port 115. One or more of the HV capacitors 100 may becoupled to the same source of gas 121 in manner that allows all thecapacitors to be dried at the same time.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is seen a not to scale representation ofa HV capacitor subject to drying. In one embodiment, it is identifiedthat a drying process according to the present invention may also beperformed by placement of one or more HV capacitor 100 in a chamber 122.In one embodiment, chamber 122 provides oven functionality that may beutilized in conjunction with application of a source of dry and/or inertgas 121. In one embodiment, after placement of one or more HV capacitor100 within chamber 122, one or more selectively sealable port isconnected to a source of gas 121 via hoses and/or couplers 123 providedwithin or at walls of the chamber, such that gas applied from outsidethe chamber can be passed through each HV capacitor within the chamber.It is identified that if heated gas 121 is provided, the temperature ofthe interior of the HV capacitor(s) 100 may be raised independent of thetemperature of chamber 122. Accordingly, the amount of time chamber 122needs to be maintained at a certain temperature to achieve a desiredamount of drying of HV capacitor 100 may in many cases be reduced. Incontrast, in the prior art, an entire volume of a drying oven needs tobe heated in order to sufficiently raise the temperature of the interiorof the unsealed open capacitor housings placed therein. Because with thepresent invention only the relatively small interior volume of eachsealed HV capacitor 100, and not the large volume of a chamber actuallyneeds be dried, quicker testing and throughput may be achieved.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is seen a not to scale representation ofa HV capacitor subject to vacuum. In one embodiment, a HV capacitor 100may be coupled at one or more selectively sealable port to a vacuumsource 124. In one embodiment, sealable ports not coupled to a vacuumsource 124 may be sealed or closed. Connections made to vacuum source124 may be achieved by means of vacuum tight couplers and connections asare know to those skilled in the art. Vacuum may be applied to bringmoisture and/or impurity levels within the a sealed HV capacitor 100 toa desired level. In one embodiment, a plurality of HV capacitors 100 maybe coupled to the same vacuum source 124 in a manner that allowsevacuation of moisture and/or impurities from more than one housing 101at a time. In one embodiment, vacuum may be applied to each HV capacitor100 by means of a vacuum source 124 coupled to the chamber 122. In oneembodiment, the chamber 122 may provide vacuum functionality.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is seen a not to scale representation ofa HV capacitor subject to impregnation. In one embodiment, one or moreHV capacitor 100 may have one or more selectively sealable port coupledto a source of fluid 125. Fluid 125 is typically used to fill thecapacitor housing 101 so as to impregnate capacitor cells 102 and/or toprovide a medium with which to dissipate heat generated by the cells. Inone embodiment, impregnation fluid 125 comprises an oil as would be usedby those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, during filling,sufficient free volume of air is left to allow for expansion ofimpregnation fluid 127 within a sealed HV capacitor 100 underanticipated operating temperatures. Impregnation fluid 127 may beintroduced by filling, under pressure, and/or under vacuum. In oneembodiment, impregnation fluid 127 may be applied at one open sealableport and another sealable port may be selectively unsealed/openedsufficiently to allow fluid to be expelled. In one embodiment, expelledfluid and/or air may be directed by means of couplers and hoses tooutside chamber 122 or to a container within the chamber. In oneembodiment, fluid 127 may be drawn into a HV capacitor 100 at onesealable port with a vacuum applied at a sealable port. Because duringimpregnation all fluid preferably is contained within each HV capacitor100, or connections thereto, impregnation of a HV capacitor 100 withfluid 127 can be preferably performed with minimal or no spillage. Inone embodiment, impregnation of HV capacitors 100 may be performedinside a chamber 122. In one embodiment, fluids 127 may be introduced towithin chamber 122 via hoses and/or couplers 123. If other processing ofHV capacitors 100 within a chamber 122 is desired, impregnation within achamber 122 may be achieved without removal of any HV capacitors 100from within the chamber before or after such processing, as minimaldis/connection of appropriate hoses to/from respective ports andcouplers is all that would be required to change from one source offluid to another source of fluid. Upon impregnation, if desired, allsealable ports can be quickly and easily selectively closed/sealed by aninsert, a screwable plug, or by a coupler 119.

It has, thus, been identified that in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein, a more reliable and better performing HVcapacitor can be manufactured. It has further been identified thatprocessing, testing, drying, and impregnation of HV capacitors can beperformed in a much shorter period of time than previously possible. Forexample, the start to end time to process/test a batch of prior art HVcapacitors takes 120 hours, whereas the start to end time toprocess/test the same number of HV capacitors 100 can take less thanabout 48 hours. Connections to selectively sealable ports of a pluralityof HV capacitors 100 may be made quickly and easily in a batch modeusing hose type connections and other appropriate fixtures. No orminimal cleanup is required during impregnation with the presentinvention because easy quick sealable connections are able to made to HVcapacitors by means of one or more sealable port. Contrast this to theprior art, wherein after a HV capacitor housing is filled withimpregnation fluid in a vat, and afterwards fitted and sealed with endcaps, the exterior of prior art housing typically requires extensivecleaning. Also with the present invention, no or a minimal amount ofimpregnation fluid is wasted and/or contaminated as occurs during priorart immersion in, and removal from, impregnation vats. Because quick,easy, clean dis/connections can be made by and to sources of vacuum,heat, gas, and/or fluids via sealable ports of HV capacitors (outsideand/or inside a test chamber), HV capacitor manufacture and testingthroughput is increased. Drying, impregnation, and/or leakage tests canbe performed without repeated removal of HV capacitors from within achamber and/or impregnation vat. Because heat, and/or, vacuum, and/orpressurized gas can be applied to HV capacitors within a chamber from asource external to the chamber, the chamber itself may not necessarilyrequire that it provide heat, pressure, and/or vacuum functionality.

Thus, the present invention and embodiments thereof should be limitedonly by the claims that follow and, as well, by their legal equivalents.

1. A method of processing high voltage capacitors, comprising the stepsof: providing at least one sealed high voltage capacitor housing, thehousing having an interior and an exterior; providing a fluid at theexterior of the sealed high voltage capacitor housing; detecting, with adetector, whether the fluid has leaked through the sealed high voltagecapacitor housing to the interior of the sealed high voltage capacitorhousing; and applying a vacuum to the interior of each sealed highvoltage capacitor housing.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluidcomprises a low molecular weight gas.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe detector is coupled to each sealed high voltage capacitor housing ata sealable port.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each sealed highvoltage capacitor housing comprises at least one end cap.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the at least one end cap includes the sealable port.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one end cap is coupled tothe housing by a seal disposed therebetween.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising a step of placing each sealed high voltage capacitorhousing within a chamber before performing a step of detecting.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the fluid is pressurized.